India’s Godawan Indian single malt has strengthened the country’s premium whisky credentials at the World Whisky Masters 2026, winning one coveted Master medal and two Golds in blind tastings. Flagship Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded topped its category, while Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice and limited-edition Godawan 173 also impressed judges, underscoring rising global respect for Indian single malts.
The premium Indian whisky movement received yet another international endorsement after World Whisky Masters 2026 awarded Godawan Indian single malt whiskies one Master medal and two Gold medals. This has reinforced the growing global recognition of Indian single malt whisky bottles. Here is all you should know about the World Whisky Masters 2026 Awards, where Indian single malt whiskies, Godawan 01 Rich And Rounded, Godawan 173 and Godawan 02 Fruit And Spice whisky, won accolades. Also, check out why these award-winning expressions stood out among the finest whiskies in the world. Notably, Godawan 173 whisky price is Rs 5,00,000.
Notably, Godawan 01 Rich And Rounded single malt whisky was the only Indian entry in its category to win the Master medal, the top award given at the event. Two other expressions from the same brand, the limited-edition Godawan 173 and Godawan 02 Fruit And Spice, were awarded Gold medals.
The World Whisky Masters 2026 Awards competition was run by The Spirits Business and works through blind tastings, meaning the judges do not know which whisky brand or bottle they are tasting. A panel of independent experts scores each whisky purely on taste, smell and overall quality. Packaging and brand reputation play no part in the result.
Godawan 01 Rich And Rounded Single Malt Whisky:
Award: Master medal
Matured in: PX Sherry casks and bourbon barrels treated with botanicals
Tasting notes: Sultanas, raisins, fig, apricot, caramel, with a buttery finish
Godawan 01 Rich And Rounded Price: ₹2,800 to ₹6,000.
Godawan 173 Whisky
Award: Gold medal
Matured in: More than nine years across ex-bourbon, Oloroso, PX Sherry and heritage Asha Liqueur casks
Tasting notes: Roasted nuts, dried fruits, walnut, dark chocolate and cinnamon
Godawan 173 Whisky Price: ₹5,00,000.
Godawan 02 Fruit And Spice Whisky
Award: Gold medal
Matured in: Virgin oak and cherrywood casks
Tasting notes: Fruit, vanilla, ginger, coconut, with a roasted coffee finish
Godawan 02 Fruit And Spice Whisky Price: ₹2,800 to ₹6,000.
Godawan is produced in Rajasthan by Good Craft Co., a unit of Diageo India. The whisky is made using six-row barley sourced locally and is distilled through a slow process designed to develop flavour gradually. Rajasthan's hot climate speeds up how the whisky matures in the cask compared to cooler regions. During the finishing stage, the makers also use Indian botanicals to shape the final taste.
Godawan brand is named after the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird found in the Thar desert. Godawan says part of its work is aimed at supporting conservation efforts for the bird's habitat, alongside a focus on sustainable production.
These latest wins take Godawan's total to more than 125 national and international awards since the brand launched. As more Indian distillers experiment with regional ingredients and cask techniques, results like this at the World Whisky Masters 2026 show that Godawan Indian single malt whisky is competing on equal terms with whiskies from long-established producing countries.